抑郁症灰白质表面积性别差异研究

目的探讨重性抑郁症(major depressive disorder,MDD)患者灰白质表面面积改变的性别差异,并分析其与不同性别患者临床特征间的关系。材料与方法前瞻性收集61例MDD患者和匹配的61例健康对照(两组均为男性25例、女性36例)行3D T1WI高分辨率磁共振扫描,用freeSurfer软件进行图像预处理,获得全脑各区域的灰、白质表面面积图像,采用双因素方差分析计算并提取四组间灰、白质表面面积的性别差异脑区,行post-hoc检验进行各组间两两比较,将男女性MDD性别差异脑区与临床资料进行相关分析。结果性别差异主结果显示双侧额上回、颞中回及左侧额中回喙部、枕外侧回灰、白质表面面积均存在差异,且双侧颞上回、左侧中央前回、岛叶、右侧额叶三角部、眶额内侧回、梭状回、顶下小叶白质表面面积及左侧缘上回、右侧额中回喙部、中央前回、颞下回、梭状回、前缘扣带回、枕外侧回、顶下小叶灰质表面面积存在差异(P<0.01,Bonforroni校正)。进一步post-hoc两两比较发现以上脑区女性MDD组灰、白质表面面积均小于男性MDD组(P<0.01,Bonforroni校正)。相关分析显示男性MDD组右侧额中回喙部(r=-0.398,P=0.049)及梭状回(r=-0.440,P=0.028)灰质表面面积与汉密尔顿抑郁量表评分呈负相关,左侧颞中回灰质表面面积与男性MDD病程呈负相关(r=-0.419,P=0.037)。结论MDD患者灰、白质表面面积均存在性别差异,但是差异脑区并不完全重叠,这些差异脑区可能与男女性MDD患者临床表现和发病率的差异有关。     

正常志愿者与2例累及Wernicke语言区胶质瘤患者听觉语义判断

目的利用功能磁共振成像技术研究汉语听觉词汇语义判断任务时正常人与Wernicke语言区胶质瘤病人脑的活动情况。方法对15名正常青年受试者和2名胶质瘤累及左侧优势半球Wernicke语言区的病人进行听觉方式呈现汉语词汇语义判断任务的fMRI扫描,由3.0 T MR扫描仪获取数据,并采用AFNI软件进行脑功能区活动图像分析。结果正常志愿者听觉语义判断语言任务激活的主要脑区包括双侧小脑半球、辅助运动区、额下回、颞上回、颞中回、岛叶、左侧顶下小叶、左侧缘上回。两位胶质瘤累及左半球Wernicke区患者的语言任务激活主要脑区包括：双侧小脑半球、辅助运动区、额下回、额中回、颞中回、岛叶、顶下小叶、右侧缘上回、右侧颞上回、右侧额上回。结论2例胶质瘤累及左侧Wernicke区的患者右侧半球激活较正常志愿者组明显增多,以右侧为优势,且左侧Wernicke区的激活减少,代之以肿瘤周边少量激活。     

偏侧空间忽略发生的相关解剖位点研究

目的:探讨右侧半球脑卒中后左侧偏侧空间忽略的临床及相关的大脑解剖位点。方法:本研究收集了120例右侧脑卒中患者,其中60例左侧空间忽略患者(忽略组)及60例右侧半球卒中后无忽略的患者(对照组),进行病例对照研究,分析两组的临床特征,并运用MRIcro软件对两组研究对象的头颅影像结果进行分析,分别将两组患者的颅内病灶进行叠加,继后相减,并进行基于体素的卡方分析,进而探讨哪些脑区的损伤几率在忽略组高于对照组。结果:忽略组与对照组相比,性别构成、年龄、偏盲几率、受教育年数、病程、接受影像检查时间差异无显著性意义(P0.05);忽略组的病灶体积显著大于对照组(P0.05),MMSE得分显著低于对照组(P0.05);两组的头颅病灶分析显示:额下回、中央前回、中央后回、颞上回、颞中回、脑岛及其周围白质、顶下小叶白质的损伤的发生率,忽略组显著高于对照组。结论:右侧脑卒中患者中,发生忽略的患者病灶体积更大,MMSE得分更低。忽略的发生与额下回、中央前回、中央后回、颞上回、颞中回、脑岛及其周围白质及其顶下小叶白质的损伤相关。     

采用基于纤维束示踪的空间统计分析方法观察先天性耳聋患者的脑白质改变

目的 应用基于纤维束示踪的空间统计分析(TBSS)方法,观察先天性感音神经性耳聋患者听觉中枢及相关中枢的脑白质改变.方法 对15例先天性耳聋患者和28名正常志愿者的听觉中枢及相关中枢进行扩散张量成像(DTI)及三维快速扰相梯度回波数据采集.应用TBSS对先天性耳聋患者和正常志愿者的DTI数据进行分析,获取部分各向异性(FA)值具有显著性差异的脑区.结果 与正常志愿者相比,先天性耳聋患者的双侧额下回、颞横回、颞上回、颞中回中后部内侧的脑白质以及双侧内囊前肢、外囊、视辐射FA值显著下降(P<0.05),左侧颞中回中后部内侧脑白质及视辐射FA值下降的范围大于右侧.结论 先天性耳聋患者听觉中枢及相关中枢脑白质FA值显著下降,提示出入听觉中枢及相关中枢的脑白质纤维髓鞘形成不良和(或)白质纤维数量减少.     

VBM分析在颞叶癫痫患者脑结构MRI检测中的应用

【目的】基于像素的形态学测量（VBM ）法分析颞叶癫痫患者脑区灰质密度和体积的差异,探讨VBM对常规M RI未发现病灶的颞叶癫痫患者的检测准确性。【方法】选择本院收治的30例常规M RI未发现病灶的颞叶癫痫患者（颞叶癫痫组）,其中男13例,女17例;选择同期本院体检健康者30例（对照组）,其中男16例,女14例。采用磁化预备快速梯度回波序列进行高分辨率全脑结构像扫描两组研究对象脑部,通过VBM分析其全脑灰质体积及密度变化。【结果】①颞叶癫痫患者组的左侧枕叶、楔叶,右侧小脑山顶脑区的灰质密度较对照组降低,差异有显著性意义;双侧壳核、外侧苍白球、左侧颞下回、右侧额下回脑区的灰质密度较对照组升高,差异有显著性意义;②颞叶癫痫患者组双侧岛叶,右侧中央前回、颞上回、楔叶、楔前叶、枕中回、缘上回,左侧颞中回、角回、舌回、颞横回、中央后回、中央旁小叶、海马旁回、梭状回的脑灰质体积较正常对照组降低,差异有显著性;未发现灰质体积升高的脑区。【结论】颞叶癫痫患者不仅颞叶灰质存在异常,而且颞叶外脑区也存在广泛的灰质异常,对于常规M RI未发现病灶的颞叶癫痫患者,进行VBM 分析可发现广泛的脑结构异常。     

基于比率低频振幅fMRI评价青少年网络游戏成瘾者静息态下脑功能活动

目的：采用比率低频振幅（fALFF）评价青少年网络游戏成瘾（IGA）者静息态下脑功能区激活特点.方法：对17例符合IGA诊断标准的青少年（IGA组）及19例在年龄、性别、受教育年限、利手等方面相匹配的青少年健康志愿者（正常对照组）行静息态fMRI扫描,两组间fALFF的差异采用两样本t检验.结果：与正常对照组相比,IGA组静息态下双侧额上回及额中回、右侧额内侧回、右侧扣带回前部及左侧扣带回后部、右侧海马旁回、右侧颞下回、右侧楔前叶脑区fALFF增高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05,未校正）.右侧颞上回及颞中回、双侧舌回、双侧枕叶、右侧胼胝体压部及双侧小脑脑区fALFF降低,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05,未校正）.结论：IGA者静息态下脑功能存在异常,fALFF有助于对IGA者静息状态脑功能变化的理解.     

督脉取穴针刺联合Schuell语言康复训练对脑卒中后失语症患者言语功能、MoCA评分及语言中枢活动功能的影响

目的探讨督脉取穴针刺联合Schuell语言康复训练对脑卒中后失语症患者言语功能、MoCA评分及语言中枢活动功能的影响。方法前瞻性选取2018年3月至2019年3月贵州中医药大学第二附属医院收治的96例脑卒中后失语症患者,按随机数字表法分为对照组和治疗组,每组各48例。对照组单纯进行Schuell语言康复训练,治疗组在对照组基础上采取督脉取穴针刺治疗。比较2组患者临床疗效、言语功能、认知功能及语言中枢活动功能。结果治疗后,治疗组总有效率(91.67%)高于对照组(75.00%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。2组患者言语功能及蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)评分均较治疗前升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且治疗组言语功能及MoCA评分[(138.15±6.85)、(22.93±4.71)分]均高于对照组[(85.21±6.07)、(18.19±5.06)分],差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗组右侧梭状回、右侧额下回、右侧内侧颞叶、左侧楔前叶、左侧额上回、左侧小脑的局部一致性值与对照组相比均较高(P<0.05),左侧颞下回、右侧舌回、右侧中央前回的局部一致性值与对照组相比较低(P<0.05)。结论对脑卒中后失语患者进行督脉取穴针刺联合Schuell语言康复训练治疗,疗效显著,对患者言语功能及认知功能改善作用明显。其原因和有效调节右侧梭状回、右侧额下回、左侧楔前叶、左侧额上回、左侧颞下回、右侧舌回、右侧中央前回等脑区有关。     

采用基于纤维束示踪的空间统计分析方法观察阿尔茨海默病患者的脑白质改变

目的:采用基于纤维束空间统计分析(TBSS)法观察阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)患者弥散张量改变,以研究其全脑白质纤维束损害的特点。方法:选取24例AD患者和21例非神经系统疾病患者(对照者),对全脑进行DTI序列扫描。采用FSL软件内的TBSS软件包,对被试的DTI扫描数据进行预处理后,对AD患者及对照者的部分各向异性分数(FA)、图像进行基于体素的全脑非参数统计学比较。结果:与对照者相比,AD患者FA值明显减低的脑区包括穹窿和双侧额上回、额中回、左侧额下回白质束及双侧颞中回、右侧颞上回、左侧颞下回、左侧楔叶、右侧扣带束前部、胼胝体膝部、左侧扣带束后部、左侧海马白质束、右侧海马旁回白质束,而双侧丘脑及中脑皮质脊髓束FA值显著降低(P<0.05)。结论:采用TBSS分析方法具有相对客观性,本研究提示AD患者存在明显的白质束损伤,且范围累及较广,对了解AD脑白质异常的潜在神经生物学机制有重要价值。     

磁共振扩散张量成像评价轻度认知障碍患者的脑白质变化

目的 利用磁共振扩散张量成像评价轻度认知障碍患者与正常对照不同脑区的各向异性分数(FA)的差异.方法 分别对来自北京大学精神卫生研究所的23例轻度认知障碍患者及26名正常对照者行MR扫描,测定DTI图像上不同部位的FA值,并分析两组间各相同部位FA值的差异.结果 患者组双侧海马旁回及右侧颞叶白质的FA值低于对照组,差异有统计学意义.结论 MCI患者双侧海马旁回及右侧颞叶可能存在白质纤维束完整性的受损.     

基于静息态功能磁共振成像的肝性脑病患者脑功能网络连接

目的 采用静息态fMRI技术观察肝性脑病(HE)患者双侧苍白与全脑网络连接的改变。方法 收集21例明显HE患者(OHE组)、22例轻微型HE患者(MHE组)及21名健康志愿者(HC组)行静息态fMRI,选择双侧苍白球作为种子点,利用种子体素相关性脑功能网络分析方法对数据进行处理并进行统计学分析。结果 3组间脑网络连接差异的脑区主要位于额叶、颞叶、双侧尾状核及顶叶(P均<0.05)。与HC组比较,OHE组右侧梭状回、右侧枕下回、左侧眶部额上回、右侧额中回等脑区连接减弱,在双侧尾状核、左三角部额下回、左海马旁回等脑区连接增强;MHE组双侧颞中回、左中央前回、左内侧额上回等脑区连接减弱;与MHE组比较,OHE组右梭状回、右侧楔前叶、右侧颞中回、右侧角回连接减弱,右侧颞下回、双侧尾状核连接增强(P均<0.05)。结论 OHE及MHE患者皮层与皮层下区域脑功能网络连接存在异常,HE患者认知功能障碍可能与功能网络连接改变有关。     

单侧感音神经性耳聋病人听觉中枢的fMRI研究

目的探讨单侧感音神经性耳聋病人与正常听力者的听皮质频率敏感性排列结构的差异;双侧听皮质中枢半球优势的变化;单侧感音神经性耳聋病人皮层下区听觉传导通路的变化.方法20例正常志愿者和20例单侧感音神经性耳聋病人,分别采集T1WI、GRE-EPI及3D GRE T1WI影像.采用组块式方法分别随机给予500 Hz,4000 Hz两种纯音刺激,每种刺激重复2次.所有图像均经AFNI进行后处理,统计阈值概率设定为P＜10-5,激活范围阈值设定为半径5 mm,体积300 mm3的连续激活区域考虑为有意义激活区.结果正常听力者和单侧耳聋病人给予单耳500 Hz,4000 Hz刺激时,二者对于听皮质激活容积存在统计学差异(P＜0.05).正常听力者给予单耳刺激表现为对侧半球优势,半球激活容积比分别为7.56,6.02(右耳刺激);2.56,5.11(左耳刺激).而单侧耳聋病人则表现为同侧半球优势,半球激活容积比分别为0.62,0.69(左侧耳聋,右耳刺激);0.96,0.83(右侧耳聋,左耳刺激).结论正常听力者对500 Hz和4000 Hz的频率刺激激活区的位置存在差别.单侧感音神经性耳聋失去了听觉中枢的频率敏感性空间排列结构.单侧耳聋病人表现为同侧半球优势.500 Hz对正常听力者和单侧感音神经性耳聋病人的听皮质激活范围明显大于4000 Hz者.     

Dynamic programming generation of boundaries of local coordinatized submanifolds in the neocortex: application to the planum temporale

Dynamic programming is used to define boundaries of cortical submanifolds with focus on the planum temporale (PT) of the superior temporal gyrus (STG), which has been implicated in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. To this end, automated methods are used to generate the PT manifold from 10 high-resolution MRI subvolumes ROI masks encompassing the STG. A procedure to define the subvolume ROI masks from original MRI brain scans is developed. Bayesian segmentation is then used to segment the subvolumes into cerebrospinal fluid, gray matter (GM), and white matter (WM). 3D isocontouring using the intensity value at which there is equal probability of GM and WM is used to reconstruct the triangulated graph representing the STG cortical surface, enabling principal curvature at each point on the graph to be computed. Dynamic programming is used to delineate the PT manifold by tracking principal curves from the retro-insular end of the Heschl's gyrus (HG) to the STG, along the posterior STG up to the start of the ramus and back to the retro-insular end of the HG. A coordinate system is then defined on the PT manifold. The origin is defined by the retro-insular end of the HG and the y-axis passes through the point on the posterior STG where the ramus begins. Automated labeling of GM in the STG is robust with L(1) distances between Bayesian and manual segmentation in the range 0.001-0.12 (n = 20). PT reconstruction is also robust with 90% of the vertices of the reconstructed PT within about 1 voxel (n = 20) from semiautomated contours. Finally, the reliability index (based on interrater intraclass correlation) for the surface area derived from repeated reconstructions is 0.96 for the left PT and 0.94 for the right PT, thus demonstrating the robustness of dynamic programming in defining a coordinate system on the PT. It provides a method with potential significance in the study of neuropsychiatric disorders.     

学龄高功能孤独障碍患儿脑灰质体积的对照观察

目的比较学龄高功能孤独障碍儿童与正常儿童脑灰质体积的差异。方法在SPM5平台上使用VOI tool工具箱测量并比较18名年龄6～14岁的孤独障碍患儿和16名相匹配的正常儿童的全脑体积、灰质体积及左右额叶、顶叶、颞叶、枕叶的灰质体积。结果孤独障碍组与正常对照组相比全脑体积差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),孤独障碍组与正常对照组相比左侧顶叶和右侧枕叶灰质体积增大,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论学龄高功能孤独障碍患儿中存在脑灰质体积的异常。     

Structural brain variation and general intelligence

Total brain volume accounts for about 16% of the variance in general intelligence scores (IQ), but how volumes of specific regions-of-interest (ROIs) relate to IQ is not known. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in two independent samples to identify substantial gray matter (GM) correlates of IQ. Based on statistical conjunction of both samples (N = 47; P < 0.05 corrected for multiple comparisons), more gray matter is associated with higher IQ in discrete Brodmann areas (BA) including frontal (BA 10, 46, 9), temporal (BA 21, 37, 22, 42), parietal (BA 43 and 3), and occipital (BA 19) lobes and near BA 39 for white matter (WM). These results underscore the distributed neural basis of intelligence and suggest a developmental course for volume--IQ relationships in adulthood.     

Cortical development in brown capuchin monkeys: a structural MRI study

Relative to other primates, Cebus monkeys display unusually fast postnatal brain growth and motor skill development. The neonatal capuchin brain, at approximately 29-34 g, is a smaller proportion of the adult brain weight (c. 50%) than is the brain of other primates except humans and great apes. Here we describe, from a cross-sectional sample, brain development in 29 brown capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) using high-resolution structural magnetic resonance images, focusing on growth patterns in total brain volume, cortical gray and white matter volume, frontal lobe gray and white matter volume, and corpus callosum area. Non-linear age-related changes in total brain volume, cortical white matter volume and frontal white matter volume were detected from birth - 5 years. Sex differences in corpus callosum:brain ratio were also found, with males having a 10% smaller corpus callosum:brain ratio than females regardless of age. Female corpus callosum:brain ratio showed significant age-related related changes, whereas males did not display any significant changes across age. Sex differences were also found in cortical gray and frontal lobe gray matter volumes, with males having larger volumes than females. These findings support the conclusion that capuchins undergo rapid neurological change during the first few years of life.     

Magnetization transfer ratio in mild cognitive impairment and dementia of Alzheimer's type

Almost half of the elderly subjects that are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) go on to develop dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT) over a 5-year follow-up. MCI and DAT subjects show regional decreases in the volume of brain structures, which correlate with the cognitive decline among these groups. Volumetric changes are found more consistently in the DAT group than in the MCI group. Since not all MCI subjects demonstrate volumetric decline, we propose that the underlying changes in the structural integrity of the brain, measured using magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), may be used as an additional predictor for abnormal cognitive decline in the elderly. Magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained in 15 DAT, MCI, and elderly control subjects. Using automatic tissue classification, the brain region of each MR volume was segmented into gray matter and white matter. Mean and standard error of the mean MTR measured within the gray matter was found to be significantly lower in the MCI (30.77 +/-0.29; P = 0.037) and the DAT (29.37 +/-0.41; P = 0.000) group compared to the control group (32.11 +/-0.20). The MTR of white matter was significantly lower only in the DAT group. The gray matter volume was significantly lower (P = 0.000) in the DAT (387.29 +/-26.04 cm(3)) group compared to controls (532.93 +/-20.53 cm(3)) and MCI (464.64 +/-16.93 cm(3)). No significant differences were found in the white matter volume between the three groups. We conclude that changes in MTR are measurable even in the absence of detectable volumetric changes in gray and white matter in the MCI group. Furthermore, MTR changes may present a novel MRI measure for the early diagnosis of dementia of Alzheimer's type.     

A longitudinal study of brain morphometrics using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and difference image analysis

Serial quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the detection of subtle volumetric changes in brain volume. We used serial volumetry and voxel-based difference image analysis to quantify and characterize longitudinal changes in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and neocortex in younger and middle-age individuals. Paired volumetric MRI brain scans 3.5 years apart were performed on 90 healthy subjects 14 to 77 years old. Quantitative assessment of registered images included hippocampal volumetry, cerebellar volumetry, and automatically determined regional brain volumes. Longitudinal volume changes in three age epochs (<35, 35-54, >54 years) were compared and neocortical changes beyond regions of interest were visualized using filtered difference images. Cross-sectional analysis revealed a significant association between age and reduction in all brain volumes except hippocampal volume. Changes in normalized hippocampal and white matter volume were significantly different among the three groups. Individual analysis revealed 5 subjects with significant longitudinal volume changes lying outside the normative range. Difference image analysis showed global involutional changes in the >54 age group. Our findings suggest that cross-sectional observations in intracranial volume, cerebellar volume, and gray matter volume are likely to reflect uniform rates of volume loss or secular changes. Accelerated brain atrophy was seen from the age of 35-54 and increased rates of hippocampal atrophy from the age of 54. Our findings emphasize the importance of controlling for age effects when studying pathological brain changes over a wide age range.     

Cerebral lobes in autism: early hyperplasia and abnormal age effects

Metabolic, functional, behavioral, and histologic studies suggest that the structure of the cerebrum may be abnormal in autism. In a previous cross-sectional study we found abnormal enlargement of cerebral cortex and cerebral white matter volumes in autistic 2- and 3-year-olds and abnormally slow rates of volume change across later ages. In the present study, we assessed whether these volume abnormalities are limited to particular cerebral regions or are pervasive throughout the cerebrum. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify volumes of cerebral lobes (frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital regions), using classic sulcal boundaries to define regions. We examined 38 boys with autism and 39 normal control boys between the ages of 2 and 11 years. Several regions showed signs of gray matter and white matter hyperplasia in 2- and 3-year-old patients (as much as 20% enlargement), but there appeared to be an anterior to posterior gradient in the degree of hyperplasia. The frontal lobe showed the greatest enlargement while the occipital lobe was not significantly different from normal. Gray and white matter differences were not found in the older children. By examining the relationships between regional volumes and subject age, we found that frontal, temporal, and parietal white matter volumes, as well as frontal and temporal gray matter volumes, changed at significantly slower rates in autism patients than in controls across the 2- to 11-year-age range. For example, frontal lobe white matter volume increased by about 45% from 2-4 years of age to 9-11.5 years, but by only 13% in autistic patients. Mechanisms that might account for early hyperplasia are discussed as they might relate to the regional differences in degree of abnormality. For instance, possible influences of neurotrophic factors, or of abnormal afferent activity from other affected brain regions are considered.     

精神分裂症患者大脑灰质结构异常的VBM初步分析

目的评价基于体素的形态学分析法(VBM)分析精神分裂症大脑灰质结构的价值。方法采用GE Signa Twin Speed1.5T超导型MRI成像系统,对9例精神分裂症患者和9例年龄、性别与之相匹配的正常人行全脑扫描,获取16～18层脑结构MRT1图像。数据分析采用以SPM2软件包为基础的全自动VBM技术进行处理。结果与正常对照组比较,精神分裂症患者灰质明显减少区域在双侧前扣带回、前额叶、右侧颞上回(P<0.005),且大脑灰质减少具有不对称性,前额区偏侧化系数(AIs)为 0.19,颞区为-0.50。灰质明显增多的区域在右前额叶与右枕区、左顶下小叶(P<0.005),也具有不对称性,前额区AIs为-0.77,顶叶 1.00,枕区为-0.73。结论精神分裂症患者大脑灰质结构异常。VBM法具有简便、自动化的特点,在精神分裂症脑形态结构研究方面前景广阔。     

The relationship between whole brain volume and disability in multiple sclerosis: a comparison of normalized gray vs. white matter with misclassification correction

We used SPM99 to obtain normalized whole brain volumes of gray matter, white matter, and total parenchyma in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 41) and age-/sex-matched normal controls (n = 18). As SPM99's automated gray/white matter volumes were significantly influenced by tissue compartment misclassification due to the effect of MS-related brain lesions, we corrected these automated volumes for misclassification before performing our primary analyses. For MS patients (disease duration = 9.5 +/- 6.3 years; EDSS score = 3.2 +/- 1.8; 25FTW = 6.6 +/- 3.1 s), we also measured lesion load (total T1 hypointense [T1LV] and FLAIR hyperintense lesion volume [FLLV]), central brain atrophy (third ventricular width [TVW] and bicaudate ratio [BCR]), and clinical status (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] and 25-ft timed walk [25FTW]). Patients with MS had lower gray matter (707 +/- 33 cm(3) [-3.9%], P = 0.003) and total parenchymal volume (1088 +/- 48 cm(3) [-3.8%], P = 0.003), but only a trend for lower white matter volume (381 +/- 25 cm(3) [-3.7%], P = 0.052) relative to normal controls (gray matter: 736 +/- 33 cm(3); total parenchyma: 1132 +/- 49 cm(3); white matter: 396 +/- 26 cm(3)). Gray matter atrophy was related to clinical status (EDSS, 25FTW, and disease duration), lesion load (T1LV and FLLV), and central brain atrophy (TVW and BCR), whereas white matter atrophy was related to only central brain atrophy. These findings suggest that gray matter loss is related to other aspects of brain pathology and has more clinical relevance than white matter atrophy in MS.